Paris Neighborhoods Rue Cler vs. Latin Quarter

Rue Cler is a little remote from the center, but without any particular price advantage. If I were going to stay that far from Notre Dame, I'd go all the way out (at least to the end of a Métro line).

If you stay in the Ve, the RER line to CDG (Luxembourg or St-Michel stops) is right at hand; from the VIIe, it gets a little more complicated (although a 10-minute Métro ride will get you right to the Roissybus stop).

Rue Cler is a lot more cluttered with tourists, because Rick Steves once mentioned it in a video, and since tourists don't seem to know how to find a market street, to them it's the only one in Paris.

Personally I prefer the Latin Quarter. Close to sites, neighborhood is fantastic and a great metro stop close to get you anywhere.

Large selection of street foods and restaurants. Very lively!

We always make it to and from the airport with no issues even for early morning flights.

We stayed on the Rue Monge in the 5th(?) in April and enjoyed it much better than staying on Rue Cler. Although Rue Cler is a market street, it isn't very convenient to the metro lines. We often walked from the Hotel Monge to Notre Dame and the Louvre.

Latine Quarter, as noted the RER will take you directly there and you can just walk the block or two to your hotel without having to switch to metro, but , that in of itself is not the only or most important reason. The Latin Quarter has more to see, the Rue Cler area has the Eiffel Tower, and the one " market street' , but as pointed out there are many other street markets in Paris. The Latin Quarter is within walking distance of most people fave sites, plus many cafes etc. I found the 7th very quiet at night , with some deserted streets, which although Paris is very safe in main areas like 7th , still I don't like deserted streets at night( of course I travel alone or with a child so I am sensitive to this)
Have you looked at Hotel du College De France, I couldn't get in but it looks good, same with Hotel Des Grand Hommes, I will be there late in July. Earlier in July I will be tryig the Hotel Eugenie, which appears to have an amazing location, in the 6th but bordering the 5th and about 4 minutes from the RER St Michel!

Hi! Jeffery:

Being the same "vintage" as you and having stayed in both the 7th & 5th arrondissements, may I be so bold to suggest that you consider the 6th arr for your 3-day stay?

While we loved returning to the quiet neighbourhood of our hotel in the 7th arr, we often took the metro to get to sights we wanted to see. You may find that it is a bit of a trip to get back to your hotel after a day of touring.

The Latin Quarter is lively & buzzing with tourists of all ages, as described. There are many sights within walking distance and restaurants are plentiful. But it is a busy quarter!

Right in between is St Germain. It hit the right "note" for us in terms location, accessibility to the metro, shops & restaurants. It felt less frantic than the 5th arr and we loved it!

But if your travelling partners' hearts are set on staying either on Rue Cler or in the Latin Quarter, my recommendation would also lean toward the Latin Quarter.

We prefer to take a cab into Paris from the airport after a long international flight. On our last trip, our hotel arranged a driver & a private car to transport us and another family to the airport for what we thought was a reasonable cost: 34 euros (in 2006). So, there are other options to the RER or Roissy Bus.

Good luck with your plans!

2010

We stayed in the 7th, a few blocks from Rue Cler, last May. It was a fine area with lots of convenient food shops, bakeries, etc, without even going to Rue Cler. Rue St Dominique and the side streets off it were particularly handy.

Rue Cler was fine, but it is a bit amusing seeing all those people with Rick Steves books wandering around and checking whether the cafe in front of them was recommended before sitting down.

There is a big post office in the area, and we were within a couple of blocks of a BNP Paribas bank where we could withdraw money without charge. Bus connections were excellent to everywhere, Metro much less so, but then we hardly ever take the Metro.

What we missed were really good and convenient neighborhood restaurants and cafes. They may have been there, but we didn't find them the way we found lots of places in the 3rd and 11th.

But we had a good studio apartment on a quiet street, so we enjoyed our stay.

If it's between the two, go with Latin.

I like the 7th a lot, but I only stay there when I don't need immediate access by Metro or foot to all the major sites. If I'm bringing "newbies" with me, I stay closer to the two Isles.

I vastly prefer the Rue Cler area to the Latin Quarter because it's a nice mix of residential and commercial. Whoever said métro access was limited is incorrect - you're just as close to métro stops anywhere in the 7th as you are anywhere in Paris. Rue Cler itself is actually an interesting street if you can get past the Rick Steves lemmings.

The Latin Quarter is just too noisy for me, and there are too many cheap and unpleasant restaurants and cafés there for my taste, like all those Greek joints with plastic replicas of the food around the rue de la Huchette. I think of it as a student mecca, and I'm a bit too old to want to be smack in the party area of town these days.

The 6th might be a nice compromise. To me, even though I always stay in the 7th, th 6th is really the heart of Paris and has everything a visitor is looking for.

I've stayed central as well as away from the core.

My last trip I stayed in the 16th, where narry a tourist did I see. I wanted a bit of a more local feel, where I went to 'my' cafe every morning for my breakfast and newspaper, ate at small restos, went to see a movie. This was fine because I have been to Paris many times. Access to the sites was bit longer and required more transfers between metro lines, and it was harder to get back to hotel before going to dinner. Probably not what you want on a 3 day visit.

If offered the choice between the 7th and 5th/6th, I'd choose the latter.

I've stayed in the 6th where my hotel window overlooked Notre Dame, and I could watch sunrises over the cathedral and the Seine. And..the RER station across the street had a direct link to CDG.

I've stayed in the 4th on Ile St Louis. It also has a nice main street with cheese, chocolate, olive oil, meat shops as well as a nice selection of restaurants, ice cream shops,etc.. Busy during day, quiet at night. And.. a 5 min walk to Notre Dame, 10 min to either Left or Right Bank, 15 min to that same RER station I mentioned above.

Another time in the 5th, small basic hotel near university. I could walk to a roman arena to have
a byol (bring your own lunch) stop. Across street was Jardin des Plantes (main botanical garden). ON corner, bakery, nearby cafe, couple of blocks away some good restuarants listed in Michelin Guide (but not high end, just recommended). Metro stop nearby, and one long block walk to Seine and views of Notre Dame.

I like the idea of first timers being able to walk to sites/interesting neighbourhoods and have access to more direct public transit lines. The 5th/6th offer that.

But still, it's not that the 7th is bad or miles away from the main tourist sites. It's just a bit quieter and a bit less 'stocked' with the sites you will want to see.

I actually agree with those who suggest the 6th. It is more centrally located and you will want to be able to easily reach major Paris sights to take full advantage of the 3 short days you will be there.

We have stayed in the 5th, 6th and 7th and like the 6th best as a home base both for its ambiance and for its convenience.

Whether you stay in the 5th, 6th or 7th, you will be not all that far from a Metro station so getting around should not be a problem.

Well I'll post the dissenting opinion - we have stayed very near the Rue Cler at Hotel Muguet for probably six or more Paris visits - obviously we like the area (we are also in our 50's). The least convenient aspect IMO is the airport transfer - we usually just take a cab although I think there is a ROISSEY? bus stop nearby. No RER stop very near and we don't want to transit Metro stations with our bags. The comments as to few neighborhood restaurants and a nearby metro baffle me - we were less than a 5 minute walk from two stations on different lines. And there are plenty of restauratns nearby or within 10 minutes walk that we just love! IMO the 5th and even parts of the 6th (near the Blvd. St. Germaine) are way too crowded! True, on Rue Cler you will bump into some Rickie Stevio fans with their guidebooks but it is also a very upscale residential area. I like to sit at a cafe for breakfast and watch the children going to school, the old ladies all dressed up going to the market, the gents or nannies walking the dogs, etc. There are several wonderful take away food stores and bakeries of course. But whichever arron. you choose I'm sure you will have a wonderful time in Paris!

The 7th has probably the largest number of "better" restaurants of any arrondissement. The metro and bus lines couldn't be more convenient.

First timers might like to be in the center of all the tourist stuff. I'm taking younger family members in April..have a great apt. on rue Dauphine. Couldn't be more in the center of the tourist busy, busy. As soon as they leave, I move to my apt. in the 7th.

As far a rue Cler goes, I don't even consider it. It is not to my liking. Certainly not what I think about when I think of the 7th arrondissement!!

Areas and places for all, for all reasons....Enjoy..........

As a Parisian, I would not recommend either, but if I had to choose one of the two, it would definitely be the Latin Quarter.

However, I will add that I would prefer the Latin Quarter in the 5th arrondissement and not at all in the 6th.

My long time Parisian friends avoid ALL the tourist areas completely!!

If this is your first time in Paris, then take the 5th (sorry!). It is really convenient for many of the major Paris touristic sites (Notre Dame, Louvre, Seine are within a 15 min walk) and has plenty of restos in all price ranges. The RER takes you right to CDG, or west to Orsay, the Eiffel Tower, even to Versailles.

The 7th is fine as well, but quieter. You will need to Metro more often.

Well, I work just off the Champs Elysées, so I can't avoid all such areas. Actually, I don't mind the Champs, except in July through September. September is worst, with the Middle Eastern tourist hordes.

I would suggest the Latin Quarter over the rue Cler any day, unless you like retirement communities and mortuary silence.

The 7th is more quiet and residential. The 5th is more lively and busy.

We, in our late 60s, stayed at the Parc St. Severin Hotel on rue de la Parchemenerie in the Latin Quarter. Our room was a little noisy at night with the window open, but another guest whose room was not at the front said she wasn't bothered by noise at all.

It was very convenient to the St. Michel RER stop (and we rode the RER from the airport), Notre Dame and other churches, St. Chappelle, Berthillon's ice cream shop on Isle St. Louis (very important tourist site), Shakespeare's Book Store, Paul's patisserie for breakfast, the Cluny Museum, and more. We walked to Luxemburg Gardens and into the 6th e.

Also, let me pass along a recommendation from another Fodorite if you stay in the 5th--Perraudin Restaurant on St. Jacques.

Why do some insist on citing what their "Parisiene friends " do or don't do . They go to work, they go to school,they take out the garbage and have dentist appointments, they are not on vacation and they don't have 7 days to see the sites.They are NOT tourists.

When you go to visit another city, no matter how cool you want to appear, you are NOT a local , you are a TOURIST and therefore avoiding touristy areas would be stupid since most " touristy areas" are around major tourist sites.. !!!

That does not mean you shouldn't wander off the "beaten track" to find an explore other areas, but tourist who avoid " all touristy " areas are doing themselves a disservice, avoid seeing St Chapelle, well how silly!! LOL

Bozama,

My French friends do not care to be in the heavily crowded tourist areas. That is a fact. I can easily understand, as I have lived in S. Fl. and I also live in NC where we have a lot of tourists.

For myself, I have rented places in the very crowded tourist areas, seen the first timer sights, and now I prefer the less crowded areas to live and be a part of the locals.

If you are going for a week, never been there..fine..be in the heavy tourist area.

Really, there are places for everyone..depends what you are looking for. There is most certainly not a single area where everyone must be! We do all have choices to make!!

How did we survive before the internet. Please know that I appreciate all of your comments. There are 4 of us "voting" on where to stay. I will vote for the 5th. Thanks again for all your help.

OK all of you Paris travelers who are recommending the 5th or 6th..have you ever stayed in a nice apartment that would accommodate 4 ladies (65 plus) who prefer not walking a ton of stairs? Would love your recommendation.........
Esther

strq

Why don't yu look at some of the sites and you can get an idea of what you like, prices etc.

Here are a few:

www.vrbo.com these are a combination of rent by owner along with rental companies.

www.parisianflat.com

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/France/Ile-de-France/r252.htm

Hi J,

If this is your first visit to Paris, I suggest adding 2 more nights.

We always stay at the Hotel Bonaparte, 61 Rue Bonaparte in the 6th. From 128E dbl w/bkfst. It is located near 3 metro stops. Has AC and an elevator.

Tel 33 1 43 26 97 37
FAX 33 1 46 33 57 67
reservation@hotelbonaparte.fr
www.hotelbonaparte.fr

For more info, enter "Hotel Bonaparte" in the "search this forum" box.

Photos are at http://tinyurl.com/ludgd

Enjoy your visit.

Since you are travelers of a mature age, I have two suggestions for you to keep in mind - hotel selections and metro usage.

I took a trip last summer with two women in their late fifties/early sixties. We stayed the first part of our trip at Hotel Le Regent in the Saint Germain des Pres area. The hotel is nice and a great location. The rooms we had were very small but we were in our rooms so little that it didn't matter. As for the location, it was about 2 minutes to the Odeon stop (literally around the corner) and about 7 minutes to St. Michel stop. There are other metro stops close by as well. The St. Michel stop was under construction at the time so I can't comment about it. The hotel was very close to Notre Dame/Ste Chappele about 10 minute walk. The Louvre is probably a 10-15 minute walk. It served as a great base for us. There is also an ATM right next to the hotel. There is activity at night but our rooms were very quiet.

We then went to Provence for awhile. Back in Paris, we stayed at Hotel Bonaparte. Another great hotel but in the Latin Quarter. The rooms we had were HUGE! I would highly suggest both. There was definitely more activity in the Latin Quarter but again our rooms were quiet.

As for metro usage... While the ladies with us were in average health condition, they found all the steps and long passages in the metro very tiring and would have preferred to use the bus system more. It is an option to look into.

As for transportation to and from CDG, we used a shuttle bus. It really is a matter of preference and how you feel about cost, ease, etc. The "mature" ladies with us felt better using a pre-set up shuttle service. We used Aiport Associate Shuttle and booked it through their website. We ended up being the only ones on the shuttle but you could have other travelers with you. I think the cost was about 20 euros each but it is based on number of travelers. They will tell you the area to meet the driver. We ended up calling the shuttle service from a payphone to let them know we had arrived. I don't know if this is normal or if we went through customs quicker than normal.

author..strq


thank you gracejoan3 and ira
for your assistance. I love the
parisianflat website and the
recommendation for the hotelboneforte, which I had previously seen some other forodites had stayed at.

sorry, I mispelled Bonaparte...

If you agree with me that transport is important, you should learn the bus network around your hotel and where it will get you. The instructions on how to do this are in this thread: http://fodors.com/forums/threadselect.jsp?tid=34987572

Bus is an alternative to the subway, but keep in mind that it is slower and less predictable from a timing standpoint, and it often has more pickpockets. It doesn't require much in the way of stairs (unlike the subway, which is chock-full of stairs), and it's more scenic, although you'll see a lot of scenery from the middle of noisy traffic jams.

It is also possible now to rent bicycles anywhere in the city, assuming you're up to it in terms of fitness. This is not part of the mass-transit system, however.

Taxis are a last resort, as they are pricey, they aren't always that fast, and they can be hard to find, especially when you need them most.